The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-12-03
MODERN NoAH.s ARks.
A Boon TO Men and Women With Mo
Time Than Money.

A Boon to Men and Women with More
Time Than Money.
Frank Stockton's idea of living on a
canal boat as described in the pages Of
his charming novel .sRudder Grange"
is after all practical one. In England
Households. as these floating domiciles
are called, have grown in favor among
certain classes. and now when an art
list or an aGthor wants to spend his va
cation in jolly, healthy way out of
reach of duns he fits up house boat
and sails, or rather drifts. away for
pastures new.
The house-bost has many things in
its favor. They can be built for
small amount of money and be made
very comfortable and home-like. There
is no fear of being upset or of storms
and sea-sickness, and the voyager can
slumber as peacefully as by his own
fireside, surrounded by his household
gods.
Those who contemplate a cruise in a
house-boat next summer will be thank
full to Mr. Raymond Radcliffe, who de-
scribes how to furnish one. He says;
Every thing shorld be light and easily
handled. Let the rooms be laid with
mating. which is cool and clean; put
rags down if you like, they are easily
rolled up and shaken, but avoid
carpets rs out of place; sofas and
coaches are an abomination, they take
up the room of half dozen people.
make the saloon look small and are
useless. Besides. If you are tired you
can lie down on cushions, of which a
housc-boat can not have too many.
The deck should have a staircase
leading up from the front. not an un-
comfortable ladder as so many use, but
good broad spiral wooden steps; they
take up no more room and look better.
Round the deck railing run stanchions
about two feet six inches high, If higher
than this they make the boat look top
heavy. Do not use either ropes or
chains. They are much trouble, and
you can not lean over loose rope or
put any weight upon it. Let the deck
be covered with canvas painted white.
Kamptulicon or oilcloth will not lie
fiat. Once you get ridges or waves in
the covering every boat-hook will find
them out and your life will be one per-
petual mending of rents. The awnings
should be hung upon a framework OF
one-inch iron poles about six feet apart.
Light linen is quite strong enough.
Awnings are intended to shade one
from the sun. nothing else, and a heavy
awning is an infinite trouble to fix. and
is no better when fixed than the light
est. Let your deck project well over
the house, so that when washed it will
carry the water clear. With too mar
row deck your window curtains will be
saturated every morning.
Most Households carry two anchors,
but four are much better. Throw
them two fore and two aft with the
chains crossed; let them have plenty of
chain to prevent dragging, and youl
boat will ride out the heaviest gale
without swinging. If you only have
two anchors moor with ropes fore and
an W ttc SHotc, diu thioW thc ahShoi
out well into the stream. In mooring
always choose place where the stream
runs strongly. The air of the river de.
ponds more upon the stream than any
thing else; bright, clear current gives
bright sharp air. If you anchor over
dull, deep pool, you win be pestered
with midges and logged up every night
with mist
No one who has ever lived on q
house-boat will willingly desert it The
morning plunge into the stream, the
perpetual life, movement and sunshine
of the river, the keen air of morning
and the delicious calm ut sunset. are I
combination not to be matched othel
than at yachting; but while the latter
is somewhat lonesome, in house-boa
ennui is unknown. There is always (
stream of boats tugs with their follow
ing Of picturesque barges and launche.
with their holiday makers. To be dul
on house-boat is an impossibility
while man who takes pride in hi
boat can never be idle. There is al
ways something to be done. If it rains
fish. If it is windy, sail. If it is too
hot to move, 60 on deck and lie in &
deck chair under the awning ant
sleep. On the hottest days there is al
WAYS breeze on the deck. Time.